used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading Heeding the terrible warning that they had received, the lads advanced with great circumspection.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading THE HOLE IN THE AIR.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
from appearances alone
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
circumspectionnounUS /ˌsɜːrkəmˈspekʃən/
knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress
From this reading Heeding the terrible warning that they had received, the lads advanced with great circumspection.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
diameternounUS /daɪˈæmətər/
the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
dissipatedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪsəpeɪtɪd/
unrestrained by convention or morality
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
glimmeringnounUS /ˈɡlɪmərɪŋ/
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Heeding the terrible warning that they had received, the lads advanced with great circumspection.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Heeding the terrible warning that they had received, the lads advanced with great circumspection.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
HeedingverbUS /ˈhiːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “heed” — pay close attention to; give heed to
From this reading Heeding the terrible warning that they had received, the lads advanced with great circumspection.
an opening into or through something
From this reading THE HOLE IN THE AIR.
ten 10s
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
impossibilitynounUS /ˌɪmpɔːsɪˈbɪlɪti/
incapability of existing or occurring
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HOLE IN THE AIR.
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading Heeding the terrible warning that they had received, the lads advanced with great circumspection.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
Northend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Heeding the terrible warning that they had received, the lads advanced with great circumspection.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
suppositionnounUS /ˌsʌpəˈzɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Heeding the terrible warning that they had received, the lads advanced with great circumspection.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOLE IN THE AIR.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Heeding the terrible warning that they had received, the lads advanced with great circumspection.
a special situation
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
a message informing of danger
From this reading Heeding the terrible warning that they had received, the lads advanced with great circumspection.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The first supposition that it was a star was dissipated the next instant by the consciousness that such a thing was a physical impossibility, and besides which its appearance was different.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Heeding the terrible warning that they had received, the lads advanced with great circumspection.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Little Rifle and Harry Northend stood in the cavern, gazing in wonder at the pale, glimmering point of light, neither able to guess what it could mean.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading It was apparently several inches in diameter, something like a hundred yards distant, and at a point considerably above their heads.
